Binding apparatus

ABSTRACT

A binding apparatus for applying a tape to one edge of a plurality or group of clamped sheets and to adjacent edge portions of exterior surfaces of exterior sheets of the plurality of sheets includes a sheet group receiving carriage and a plate member to position said group of sheets. The carriage member is adapted to hold and position the sheets to receive a center portion of a pressure sensitive tape on the one edge and adjacent margin portions of the tape on exterior surfaces of exterior sheets in response to movement of a tape applicator and frame having members operative to apply tape to the one edge of the group of sheets and to cut the tape after applying same and members positioned to engage the tape and move respective opposite margin portions thereof into engagement with the exterior surfaces of exterior sheets in response to release of the plurality or clamped group of sheets.

[451 Apr. 16, 1974 BINDING APPARATUS [75] Inventor: Boyd C. Blair, Topeka, Kans.

' [73] Assignee: Brackett Stripping Machine Co.,

Inc., Topeka, Kans.

22 Filed: Mar.20, 1972 21 Appl. No.: 236,110

[52] US. Cl. 156/477 B, 156/212, 156/289, 156/485,156/522,11/1R,11/1AD,11/1CB [51] Int. Cl. B32b l/04, B42x 19/00 [58] Field of Search 156/477 B, 479, 487, 522, 156/202, 216, 484, 485, 212, 289; 11/1 R, 1

AD, 1 CP, 5

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,616,074 10/1971 Hoff et a1. 156/477 B 3,715,260 2/1973 Dornemann et al. 156/477 B 2,646,104 7/1953 l-lawkes 156/477 B 1,157,660 10/1915 Coates.... 156/487 2,969,554 1/1961 McCahon ll/l CD 2,911,659 11/1959 Robbins et a1. 156/477 B 3,531,358 9/1970 Rost et a1 156/216 6/1970 Fuhr 156/216 Primary Examiner-A1fred L. Leavitt Assistant ExaminerBasil J. Lewris Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Fishbum, Gold & Litman 5 7] ABSTRACT A binding apparatus for applying a tape to one edge of a plurality or group of clamped sheets and to adjacent edge portions of exterior surfaces of exterior sheets of the plurality of sheets includes a sheet group receiving carriage and a plate member to position said group of sheets. The carriage member is adapted to hold and position the sheets to receive a center portion of a pressure sensitive tape on the one edge and adjacent margin portions of the tape on exterior surfaces of exterior sheets in response to movement of a tape applicator and frame having members operative to apply tape to the one edge of the group of sheets and to cut the tape after applying same and members positioned to engage the tape and move respective opposite margin portions thereof into engagement with the exterior surfaces of exterior sheets in response to release of the plurality or clamped group of sheets.

mtg-

PATENTEUAPR 16 19M SHEET 2 BF 3 BINDING APPARATUS The present invention relates to binding of books and more particularly to a sheet binding apparatus for applying a tape to one edge of a plurality of sheets and to adjacent edge portions of exterior surfaces of exterior sheets of the plurality of sheets.

The principal objects of the present invention are: provide a sheet binding apparatus operative to apply a tape or strip with adhesive to one edge of a plurality of clamped sheets and to adjacent edge portions of exterior surfaces of exterior sheets of the plurality of sheets; to provide such a sheet binding apparatus adapted to securely hold the plurality of sheets with one edge thereof in registry while receiving the binding tape thereon; to provide such a sheet binding apparatus to apply and cut tape substantially flush or in registry with respective ends of the sheets; to provide such a sheet binding apparatus operative to securely hold and quickly release a plurality of sheets to firmly apply tape to edge portions of exterior sheets of the plurality of sheets; to provide such a sheet binding apparatus adapted to secure a plurality of individual sheets together with tape to form books, pamphlets, tablets, and the like; and to provide such a sheet binding apparatus which is economical to manufacture, durable in construction, positive in operation, and particularly well adapted for the proposed use.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth by way of illustration and example certain embodiments of this invention.

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include an exemplary embodiment of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features of the sheet binding apparatus.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sheet binding apparatus embodying features of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged top plan view of the sheet bind ing apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a further enlarged longitudinal sectional 7 view taken on line 3-3, FIG. 2 and showing a plurality of sheets in a sheet carriage.

FIG. 4 is an even further enlarged fragmentary transverse sectional view taken on line 4-4, FIG. 3 and showing a tape applicator and supports therefor.

Referring more in detail to the drawingsf As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. However, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriate detailed structure.

In the disclosed embodiment of the present invention, the reference numeral 1 generally designates a sheet binding apparatus for applying a tape 2 to one edge of a group or plurality of sheets 3 and to adjacent edge portions of exterior surfaces of exterior sheets of the group or plurality of sheets 3. The sheet binding apparatus 1 includes a sheet-receiving and holding carriage 4 movable over a top member or plate 5 and an opening 6, said carriage 4 holding and positioning the plurality of sheets 3 to receive tape 2 on the one edge and on adjacent edge portions of the exterior sheets 3 in response to movement of a tape applicator 7 having members operative to apply tape to the one edge of the sheets 3 and to cut the tape 2 after applying same and spaced wipers 8 and 9 positioned to engage the tape 2 and move respective opposite margin portions thereof into engagement with the exterior sheets 3 in response to release of the plurality or group of sheets 3 from the carriage 4.

The sheet binding apparatus 1 may be supported on any suitable structure which provides support for the top member or plate 5, the carriage 4, and the tape applicator 7 and which permits movement of the carriage 4 to position the sheets 3 to receive tape 2 from the tape applicator 7. In the illustrated structure, a support frame or housing 10 includes front and rear walls 11 and 12 and side walls 13 and 14 supporting the top plate 5 and preferably formed of suitable structural members, such as plates or the like, and each having a flange 15 extending inwardly from a lower edge and suitable glides l6 adjustably mounted on the flanges 15 adjacent corners of the housing, as on threaded shafts 17 extending through a threaded aperture in a mounting member 18 on respective flanges l5 and having suitable means, such as a nut 19, for holding the glides 16 in an adjusted position to thereby level the sheet binding apparatus 1 relative to a suitable support surface 20. The illustrated support housing or frame 10 has a suitable shelf 21 mounted on the front wall 11 and extending between the side walls 13 and 14to provide storage for rolls of tape, tools, and the like.

The walls and flanges 15 of the housing or support frame 10 provide rigidity for peripheral portions of the top plate or member 5 and to provide support for an upper end of a book chute 22 positioned to receive a bound group of sheets or book for movement to a collection point. In the illustrated structure, the book chute 22 is defined by a plurality of laterally spaced guide members 23 each in an arcuate path between a support bar 24 at an upper end and an end flange or stop 25 at a lower end of the chute 22 to be engaged by a finished book or a found group of sheets moving downwardly along the chute 22.

The top or plate member 5 is illustrated as a generally planar member, and having a generally flat sheet support portion 26 adjacent the opening 6 therein and positioned to be below the carriage 4 when in sheetreceiving position. The top plate or member 5 has one edge 27 of the opening 6 extending substantially parallel with the long dimension of the sheet-receiving carriage 4 to define a limit for movement of a tape cutting knife 28, as later described, and the opening 6 has a recess portion 29 extending from one end of the edge 27 of the opening 6 and substantially normal or perpendicular thereto.

The carriage 4 is adapted to receive a plurality or group of sheets 3 with edges resting on the sheet support portion 26 and thereby in registry or mutual alignment, said carriage having means grippingly engaging the sheets 3 whereby said carriage can move same to a position over or above the tape applicator 7 for applying tape to the lower edge of the sheets 3 and to return the sheets with tape thereon to a position above the wipers 8 and 9 and to release the taped sheets for movement therebetween.

In the illustrated structure, a pair of laterally spaced rails 30 and 31 provide support for and movement of the carriage 4 between a position above the sheet support portion 26 of the top plate or member and a position above the opening 6. The rails 30 and 31 each have opposite ends thereof suitably supported above the top plate or member 5, as by brackets 32. The rails 30 and 31 support respective opposite ends of the carriage 4, as by suitable carriage support means, such as sleeves (not shown) mounted within or on the respective opposite ends of the carriage 4 and movable along the rails 30 and 31 respectively.

The illustrated carriage 4 has a frame or housing having an open top and an open bottom defined by a pair of laterally spaced side walls 33 and 34 and a pair of longitudinally spaced end walls 35 and 36 extending between the side walls 33 and 34. A generally planar press member 37 is positioned between and parallel with the side walls 33 and 34 and is movable toward and away from one of the side walls, for example side wall 34, to grippingly engage the sheets 3 therebetween. The other side wall 33 has a chamber 38 therein defined by upper and lower plates 39 and 40 respectively and spaced side plates 41 and 42.

Means for effecting movement of the press member 37 toward and away from the one side wall 34 includes an elongated gear shaft 43 positioned within the chamber 38 and having respective opposite end portions thereof rotatably supported on the end walls 35 and 36 respectively, as in suitable bushings (not shown). A handle 44 is mounted on one end of the gear shaft 43 and is spaced outwardly from the adjacent end wall for rotating the gear shaft 43 and a pair of spaced gears 45 mounted thereon and positioned adjacent respective facing surfaces of the end walls 35 and 36. The gears 45 interengage with movable racks 46 and 47 respectively with each having one end suitably secured to the press member 37, as by suitable brackets 48, and extending through respective aligned apertures in the side plates 41 and 42 of the side wall 33.

The gear shaft 43 is selectively rotated to turn the gears 45 thereby moving the racks 46 and 47 and thereby the press member 37 between a retracted position and a sheet engaging position. It is desirable to hold the press member 37 in the sheet engaging position during moving of the plurality of sheets 3 over the opening 6 and during application of the tape to the one edge of the sheets 3, therefore, a suitable tension device 49 is operatively engageable with the shaft 43 and with the handle 44 to hold the press member 37 in gripping engagement with the plurality of sheets 3.

it is desirable that the press member 37 be quickly movable out of engagement with the sheets 3 to thereby release same for movement downwardly between the wipers 8 and 9, therefore, a suitable release member 50 is preferably operatively engageable with the tension device 49 and is adapted for selectively releasing the gear shaft 43 for reverse rotation to release the sheets 3 by moving the press member 37 away from the sheets 3 to permit same to move between the wipers 8 and 9.

The carriage 4 has means thereon for holding side portions or margins of the tape 2 having the center portion thereof applied to the lower edges of the plurality of sheets 3 and the carriage 4 is moved from a position above the tape applicator 7 to a position above the wipers 8 and 9 and the means for holding side portions or margins of the tape are operative to effect starting of the wrap of the side margins of the tape 2 into engagement with respective exterior surfaces of exterior sheets of the plurality of sheets 3 and in the illustrated structure, thin metal bars 51 and 52 are mounted on the side wall 34 and the press member 37 respectively. The bars 51 and 52 are mounted to have their lower edges aligned with the lower edges of the sheets 3 amd may be stationary or movable vertically. In the illustrated structure, the bars 51 and 52 are mounted in a manner to permit vertical movement relative the carriage 4. The illustrated bars 51 and 52 each have a plurality of longitudinally spaced slots 53 extending vertically and having respective studs or fingers 54 extending therethrough and suitably secured to the exterior surface of the side wall 34 and the press member 37 for limiting vertical movement of the bars 51 and 52.

The bars 51 and 52 each preferably have exterior side surfaces thereof coated with a suitable release material, such as silicone or the like, and the lower edge thereof uncoated or bare to permit initial adhesion of the tape to the lower edges of the bars 51 and 52 while preventing adhesion of the tape to the sides thereof. The studs or fingers 54 and the slots 53 cooperate to permit the lower edge of the bars 51 and 52 to extend below respective lower edges of the side wall 34 and press member 37 whereby release of the plurality of sheets 3 after applying the tape 2 effects downward movement of the sheets 3 and bars 51 and 52 until the studs or fingers 54 engage respective upper ends of the slots 53 thereby holding margin portions of the tape 2 while the sheets 3 continue to move downwardly whereby opposite edge portions or margins of the tape 2 extend generally upwardly relative to the taped edges of the sheets. The group of sheets continue to drop and pull the tape margins to effect release from the bars 51 and 52 and upon release the tape margins are extending generally upwardly adjacent exterior surfaces of the exterior sheets ready to be engaged by the wipers 8 and 9 and wiped against the sheets 3 by the wipers 8 and 9.

The wipers 8 and 9 are positioned below the opening 6 in the top plate or member 5 and preferably supported by members extending between the side walls 13 and 14, such as the support bar 24 and a support bar 55 parallel therewith and below the top plate or member 5. The wipers 8 and 9 are each inclined from respective upper edges thereof and converge at their respective lower edges.

The wipers 8 and 9 preferably have suitable resiliency to permit the plurality of sheets 3 and the tape 2 thereon to pass between the wipers 8 and 9 and suitable stiffness to force edge portions or margins of the tape 2 into engagement with respective edge portions of the exterior surfaces of exterior sheets of the plurality of sheets 3. Therefore, the wipers 8 and 9 are each formed of suitable resilient material, such as rubber or the like, having a upstanding pile or fibers thereon which is engageable with the sheets 3 and tape 2.

The tape 2 is applied to a lower edge of each of the plurality of sheets 3 by moving the carriage 4 to a position above and aligned with the tape applicator 7 and then moving the tape applicator 7 parallel with the lower edge of the sheets 3 and the bars 51 and 52 on the side wall 34 and the press member 37. In the illustrated structure, a pair of laterally spaced rails 55 and 56 are positioned below the opening 6 and extend between the side walls 13 and 14 and have respective opposite ends supported thereon, as on suitable brackets 57 and the rails and 56 extend substantially parallel with the plurality of sheets 3 supported in the carriage 4 to provide support for the tape applicator 7 which is illustrated as including a generally vertically extending support plate 58 adapted to support the tape 2, as later described. The support plate 58 has sleeve portions 59 and engageable with the rails 55 and 56 respectively for supporting the tape applicator 7 during movement thereof.

In the illustrated structure, the sleeves 59 and 60 are suitably secured to the support plate 58, as by welding, and are mounted on the rails 55 and 56. An axle 61, as later described, is mounted on the support plate 58 for rotatably supporting one or more reels 62 having the tape 2 mounted thereon. The illustrated axle 61 is a threaded shaft having one end thereof suitably secured to support plate 58, as by welding, and having a nut 63 and a washer 64 mounted on the other end thereof. A suitable spring 65 is sleeved on the axle 61 and has one end engageable with the washer 64 and the other end thereof engageable with the reel or reels 62 to thereby maintain same in a selected lateral position relative to the tape applicator 7.

The tape 2 is threaded through the tape applicator 7 and has an end portion thereof supported in position to engage the lower edge of the plurality of sheets 3 and the uncoated lower edges of the bars 51 and 52. The tape 2 is preferably of the pressure sensitive type and in the illustrated structure, the tape applicator 7 has an upper housing 66 suitably secured to the support plate 58, as by welding, and is a generally V-shaped structure having a bottom wall 67 and spaced side walls 68 and 69. The tape 2 extends from the respective reel 62 and engages the upper housing 66 at one corner thereof and extends upwardly adjacent one of the side walls, for example side wall 68.

A backing plate 70 is suitably mounted on the side wall 68 of the upper housing 66, as by welding, and positioned adjacent an upper edge thereof with a portion extending above the upper edge and curved toward the other side wall 69. The backing plate 70 is preferably formed of a flexible material having sufficient rigidity exert pressure on the tape 2 when in engagement with the lower edges of the plurality of sheets 3, spring steel has been found to have such characteristics.

It is desirable to resist downward movement of the tape 2 while not in engagement with the lower edge of the sheets 3, therefore, a. surface member 71 is mounted on the backing plate 70 and preferably has surface fibers extending only upwardly therefrom. The upper portion of the surface member 71 is also curved toward the other side wall 69 of the upper housing 66.

An elongated roller 72 is positioned adjacent the sur face member 71 and cooperates therewith to maintain the tape 2 in engagement with the surface member 71. The roller 72 extends substantially horizontally or transverse to the direction of travel of the tape 2 which preferably has a suitable coating of pressure sensitive adhesive on one side thereof. The tape 2 moves between the roller 72 and the surface member 71 with the adhesive face in engagement therewith, therefore, the roller 72 preferably has a coating of a suitable release material, such as s ilicone, whereby the adhesive side of the tape 2 will not adhere to the roller 72.

The illustrated roller 72 is rotatably mounted on a suitable rod or shaft having opposite ends thereof supported on suitable brackets or blocks 73 secured to the side wall 68 adjacent respective opposite side edges of the surface member 71 and the backing plate 70.

The tape cutting knife 28 is movable laterally or or 5 transversely through the tape 2 to cut same after application of the tape 2 on the lower edges of the sheets 3 and the bars 51 and 52. The knife 28 is illustrated as being removably mounted on a knife support 74 which is in sliding engagement with an elongated shaft 75 hav- 0 ing one end suitably secured to the upper housing 66, as by a suitable collar (not shown) receiving the shaft 75 therein and having a plurality of threaded shafts 76 extending outwardly from the collar and through the side wall 69 of the upper housing. The threaded shafts 75 each have a pair of nuts 77 mounted thereon and on opposite sides of the side wall 69 to effect clamping engagement therewith. The other end of the shaft 75 is adjacent the front wall 11 of the frame or housing l0.

20 The knife support 74 is illustrated as an elongated sleeve having one portion of a knife mount suitably secured thereto, as by welding, and the remaining portion or portions of the knife mount are suitably secured to the one portion, as by a plurality of bolts 78. The knife 28 is removably mounted between the portions of the knife mount by the bolts 78.

Movement of the tape applicator 7 to apply the tape 2 to the lower edges of the sheets 3 is effected by a handle 79 mounted on the knife support 74 and extends upwardly therefrom. The handle 79 is positioned to engage the one edge 27 of the opening 6 and is movable into the recess portion 29 thereof whereby moving the handle 79 along the one edge 27 of the opening 6 effects movement of the tape applicator 7 and the tape reel or reels 62 thereon in a path substantially parallel with the lower edges of the plurality of sheets 3. Movement of the handle 79 into the recess portion 29 of the opening 6 effects movement of the knife support 74 and the knife 28 mounted thereon relative to the tape 2 to cut same at the ends of the sheets 3.

In using a sheet binding apparatus constructed as illustrated and described, the sheets 3 are positioned in the carriage 4 and between the side wall 34 and the press member 37. The lower edges of the sheets 3 are supported on the portion 26 of the top plate or member 5 thereby registering the lower edges and the ends of the sheets are moved into engagement with the end wall at the end of the carriage 4 adjacent the recess portion of the opening 6. The gear shaft 43 is rotated to move the press member 37 into engagement with the plurality of sheets 3 and to grippingly engage same between the press member 37 and the side wall 34. The tension device 49 is effective to maintain said clamping engagement. Wires or indicators 80 and 81 extend from a lower portion of the side wall 34 and the press member 37 respectively and are preferably longitudinally aligned with facing surfaces thereof to thereby indicate the width of the plurality of sheets 3. The position of the wire or indicator 81 on the press member 37 relative to a scale 82 mounted on the top member or plate 5 determines an adjustment of a tape tail adjustment knob 83. The carriage 4 is then moved to a position above one of a plurality of tape width indicators 84 mounted on the top member or plate 5 adjacent one end of the opening 6 therein. When the wires or indicators 80 and 81 are within a selected center portion of a selected one of the tape width indicators 84 as defined by suitable marks thereon, the width of the tape 2 on tape applicator 7 is sufficient to engage the lower edges of the sheets 3 and exterior surfaces of exterior sheets 3, otherwise a wider tape is selected thereby positioning the sheets above and aligned with the selected reel 62 of tape 2 on the tape applicator 7. The handle 79 is moved along the one edge 27 of the opening 6 thereby moving the tape applicator 7 parallel with the lower edge of the sheets 3 and effecting engagement of the tape 2 with the lower edges of the sheets 3 and the lower edges of the bars 51 and 52 and moving the lower edges of the bars 51 and 52 substantially into alignment with the lower edges of the sheets 3. The tape 2 is then cut at the end of the lower edges of the sheets 3 by moving the handle 79 within the recess portion 29 of the opening 6 thereby moving the knife 28 transversely of and through the tape 2. The carriage 4 is then moved to a position having the sheets 3 above and aligned with the wipers 8 and 9 and preferably having the wires or indicators 80 and 81 centered on a suitable mark 85 on the top plate or member 5. The sheets 3 are then released allowing same to move downwardly between the press member 37 and the side wall 34 and move the bars 51 and 52 downwardly with the sheets 3 until the upper ends of the slots 53 are in engagement with the studs or fingers 54 thereby stopping the downward movement of the bars 51 and 52. The opposite margins of the tape 2 are thereby moved toward the lower portions of the exterior surfaces of the exterior sheets of the plurality of sheets 3 as said margins are released and then the sheets 3 and tape margins move between the wipers 8 and 9 which wipe the adhesive into adhering engagement with the surface of the sheets thereby completing the application of the tape to the sheets 3. The carriage 4 is returned to a position above the sheet support portion 26 of the top plate or member and the handle 79 is moved out of the recess portion 29 of the opening 6 and along the one edge 27 thereof to return the knife 28 and the tape applicator 7 to a starting position. The sheets 3 and tape 2 thereon are taken from the book chute 22 and the lower edges or spine of the plurality of sheets 3 and finished wiped on a brush 86 on the table top 5 thereby working adhesive into the sheets 3.

it is to be understood that while I have illustrated and described one form of my invention, it is not to be limited to these specific forms or arrangement of parts herein described and shown.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent l. A binding apparatus comprising:

a. a frame having a generally planar top member with portions thereof defining an opening therein;

b. a carriage disposed above and adjacent said top member;

0. means on said carriage for selectively grippingly engaging a plurality of sheets and for selectively releasing same;

d. means on said carriage and on said top member for effecting movement of said carriage from a position spaced from the opening to a position aligned with the opening;

e. means movably mounted on said frame for applying a center portion of a tape having an adhesive coating on one surface thereof and a width greater than the width of one edge of the plurality of sheets to said edge to adhesively bond same and cutting the tape adjacent one end of the one edge of the sheets, said tape having opposite margins extending laterally outward from said one edge of the plurality of sheets;

a pair of laterally spaced elongated bars on said carriage with each having a thin lower edge thereof substantially coplanar with said one edge of the sheets and engageable by a respective margin portion of the tape during applying of the tape to the one edge of the sheets, said bar edges providing a delayed release of the tape margins in response to downward movement of the plurality of sheets upon release from the gripping means and movement of said margins along side of exterior sheets of the plurality of sheets; and

g. a pair of laterally spaced wiper members positioned to engage respective marginal portions of the tape and move same into adhesive bonding engagement with the respective exterior surfaces of the exterior sheets in response to downward movement of said plurality of sheets between said wiper members upon release of the taped sheets from the gripping means.

2. A binding apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein:

a. said carriage comprises a frame having an open top and an open bottom defined by a pair of laterally spaced side wall members and a pair of longitudinally spaced end wall members extending between said side wall members; and

b. said means for grippingly engaging a plurality of sheets comprises a generally planar press member positioned between and parallel with said side wall members and selectively movable toward one of said side wall members to engage said sheets when in position therebetween.

3. A binding apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said means for applying tape to one edge of said sheets includes:

a. a pair of spaced rails positioned adjacent the opening in said top member and extending substantially parallel with the one edge of said sheets;

b. an applicator having portions operatively engageable with said rails and movable therealong;

c. means on said applicator for effecting movement thereof along said rails;

d. a tape support frame mounted on said applicator;

and

e. means on said tape support frame for positioning tape to be engaged by the one edge of said sheets adjacent the other end thereof whereby movement of said applicator and the tape support frame effects engagement of tape with the one edge of said sheets.

4. A binding apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said pair of laterally spaced wiper members are brushes positioned to engage respective marginal portions of the tape and move same into engagement with the respective exterior surfaces of the exterior sheets in response to movement of said plurality of sheets between said brushes upon release of said sheets.

5. A binding apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein:

a. said carriage is disposed above the opening in said top member;

b. said brushes are disposed below the opening in said top member;

c. said press member and said one of said side wall members of said carriage each have one surface thereof engageable with respective exterior surfaces of exterior sheets of said plurality of sheets;

d. said pair of bars are each mounted for small vertical movement relative to the respective other surfaces of said press member and said one of said side wall members; and

e. said carriage is movable to position said pair of bars above said pair of brushes.

6. A binding apparatus as set forth in claim wherein:

a. each bar of said pair of bars has an outwardly facing surface thereof coated with a release material to prevent adhesion of respective opposite margin portions of the tape thereto; and

b. each bar of said pair of bars has a lower edge thereof uncoated whereby the tape has initial adhesion to the lower edge until said sheets are released by release movement of said press member for engagement by said brushes.

7. A binding apparatus comprising:

a. a frame having a generally planar top member with portions thereof framing an opening therein;

b. a carriage disposed above said top member and having an open top and an open bottom defined by a pair of laterally spaced side wall members and a pair of longitudinally spaced end wall members extending between said side wall member;

c. a generally planar press member positioned between and substantially parallel with said side wall members and selectively movable toward one of said side wall members to selectively grippingly engage a plurality of sheets therebetween and away from said sheets to release same;

d. means on said carriage and on said top member adjacent the opening framing portions thereof for selectively effecting movement of said carriage from a position adjacent the opening to a position thereabove;

e. tape-applying means movably mounted relative to the opening in said top member and movable substantially parallel with said press member and said side wall member for applying a center portion of a tape having an adhesive coating on one surface thereof and a width greater than the width of one edge of the plurality of sheets to said edge to adhesively bond same, said tape having opposite margins extending laterally outwardly from said one edge of said plurality of sheets;

f. means associated with said tape applying means for cutting the tape adjacent one end of the plurality of sheets after applying of same to said sheets;

g a pair of laterally spaced elongated bars on said carriage with each having a thin lower edge thereof substantially coplanar with said one edge of the sheets and engageable by a respective margin portion of the tape during applying of the tape to the one edge of the sheets, said bar edges providing a delayed release of the taped margins in response to downward movement of the pluralty of sheets upon release from the press member and side wall member and movement of said margins along side of exterior sheets of the plurality of sheets;

h. each bar of said pair of bars having an outwardly facing surface thereof coated with a release material to prevent adhesion of respective opposite margin portions of the tape thereto;

. a pair of laterally spaced brushes positioned to engage respective marginal portions of the tape and move same into adhesive bonding engagement with respective exterior surfaces of the exterior sheets in response to downward movement of said plurality of sheets between said brushes upon release of said plurality of sheets. 

1. A binding apparatus comprising: a. a frame having a generally planar top member with portions thereof defining an opening therein; b. a carriage disposed above and adjacent said top member; c. means on said carriage for selectively grippingly engaging a plurality of sheets and for selectively releasing same; d. means on said carriage and on said top member for effecting movement of said carriage from a position spaced from the opening to a position aligned with the opening; e. means movably mounted on said frame for applying a center portion of a tape having an adhesive coating on one surface thereof and a width greater than the width of one edge of the plurality of sheets to said edge to adhesively bond same and cutting the tape adjacent one end of the one edge of the sheets, said tape having opposite margins extending laterally outward from said one edge of the plurality of sheets; f. a pair of laterally spaced elongated bars on said carriage with each having a thin lower edge thereof substantially coplanar with said one edge of the sheets and engageable by a respective margin portion of the tape during applying of the tape to the one edge of the sheets, said bar edges providing a delayed release of the tape margins in response to downward movement of the plurality of sheets upon release from the gripping means and movement of said margins along side of exterior sheets of the plurality of sheets; and g. a pair of laterally spaced wiper members positioned to engage respective marginal portions of the tape and move same into adhesive bonding engagement with the respective exterior surfaces of the exterior sheets in response to downward movement of said plurality of sheets between said wiper members upon release of the taped sheets from the gripping means.
 2. A binding apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein: a. said carriage comprises a frame having an open top and an open bottom defined by a pair of laterally spaced side wall members and a pair of longitudinally spaced end wall members extending between said side wall members; and b. said means for grippingly engaging a plurality of sheets comprises a generally planar press member positioned between and parallel with said side wall members and selectively movable toward one of said side wall members to engage said sheets when in position therebetween.
 3. A binding apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said means for applying tape to one edge of said sheets includes: a. a pair of spaced rails positioned adjacent the opening in said top member and extending substantially parallel with the one edge of said sheets; b. an applicator having portions operatively engageable with said rails and movable therealong; c. means on said applicator for effecting movement thereof along said rails; d. a tape support frame mounted on said applicator; and e. means on said tape support frame for positioning tape to be engaged by the one edge of said sheets adjacent the other end thereof whereby movement of said applicator and the tape support frame effects engagement of tape with the one edge of said sheets.
 4. A binding apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said pair of laterally spaced wiper members are brushes positioned to engage respective marginal portions of the tape and move same into engagement with the respective exterior surfaces of the exterior sheets in response to movement of said plurality of sheets between said brushes upon release of said sheets.
 5. A binding apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein: a. said carriage is disposed above the opening in said top member; b. said brushes are disposed below the opening in said top member; c. said press member and said one of said side wall members of said carriage each have one surface thereof engageable with respective exterior surfaces of exterior sheets of said plurality of sheets; d. said pair of bars are each mounted for small vertical movement relative to the respective other surfaces of said press member and said one of said side wall members; and e. said carriage is movable to position said pair of bars above said pair of brushes.
 6. A binding apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein: a. each bar of said pair of bars has an outwardly facing surface thereof coated with a release material to prevent adhesion of respective opposite margin portions of the tape thereto; and b. each bar of said pair of bars has a lower edge thereof uncoated whereby the tape has initial adhesion to the lower edge until said sheets are released by release movement of said press member for engagement by said brushes.
 7. A binding apparatus comprising: a. a frame having a generally planar top member with portions thereof framing an opening therein; b. a carriage disposed above said top member and having an open top and an open bottom defined by a pair of laterally spaced side wall members and a pair of longitudinally spaced end wall members extending between said side wall member; c. a generally planar press member positioned between and substantially parallel with said side wall members and selectively movable toward one of said side wall members to selectively grippingly engage a plurality of sheets therebetween and away from said sheets to release same; d. means on said carriage and on said top member adjacent the opening framing portions thereof for selectively effecting movement of said carriage from a position adjacent the opening to a position thereabove; e. tape-applying means movably mounted relative to the opening in said top member and movable substantially parallel with said press member and said side wall member for applying a center portion of a tape having an adhesive coating on one surface thereof and a width greater than the width of one edge of the plurality of sheets to said edge to adhesively bond same, said tape having opposite margins extending laterally outwardly from said one edge of said plurality of sheets; f. means associated with said tape applying means for cutting the tape adjacent one end of the plurality of sheets after applying of same to said sheets; g. a pair of laterally spaced elongated bars on said carriage with each having a thin lower edge thereof substantially coplanar with said one edge of the sheets and engageable by a respective margin portion of the tape during applying of the tape to the one edge of the sheets, said bar edges providing a delayed release of the taped margins in response to downward movement of the pluralty of sheets upon release from the press member and side wall member and movement of said margins along side of exterior sheets of the plurality of sheets; h. each bar of said pair of bars having an outwardly facing surface thereof coated with a release material to prevent adhesion of respective oPposite margin portions of the tape thereto; i. a pair of laterally spaced brushes positioned to engage respective marginal portions of the tape and move same into adhesive bonding engagement with respective exterior surfaces of the exterior sheets in response to downward movement of said plurality of sheets between said brushes upon release of said plurality of sheets. 